Conflict intensifies between Representative Tulsi Gabbard and the CIA chief, allegedly following her public exposure of an undercover agent's identity, according to inside sources.

Tensions between Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard and CIA Director John Ratcliffe continue to persist, with the latest development being Gabbard's decision to revoke the security clearance of a veteran CIA officer, Julia Gurganus.

The move, which was made without proper coordination with the CIA, has sparked outrage from former intelligence officials and raised concerns about the politicization of intelligence. Yael Eisenstat, a former CIA officer, expressed her outrage at being included on Gabbard's list, stating that the government's targeting of former and current officers' clearances for political purposes without due process demonstrates an attack on democratic norms.

Gurganus, who was due to take up a new assignment for the CIA in Europe, had worked intensely to prepare for a summit between Trump and Putin. According to reports, she was identified by Gabbard in a memo revoking security clearances, but Coleman, the ODNI spokesperson, has clarified that the memo listed names and not agency affiliations.

Apart from Gurganus, at least two other current intelligence officers were on Gabbard's list, including Vinh Nguyen at the National Security Agency, who was recognized as the intelligence community's top mind on cutting-edge technology. The administration has defended its actions, stating that those who were stripped of their security clearance had allegedly politicized intelligence for partisan purposes, had failed to safeguard classified material, had failed to adhere to professional intelligence "analytic tradecraft standards" or engaged in unspecified "detrimental" conduct.

The incident was first reported by The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal, and it has been followed by simmering tensions and crossed signals between Gabbard and Ratcliffe. Tensions between Gabbard and Trump seem to have subsided for now, with Trump praising Gabbard after her security clearance removals.

However, the incident has raised concerns about the potential damage to the reputation and long-term ability of former intelligence officials to find jobs, as security clearances are a standard requirement for many senior posts at defense and technology companies with federal contracts. Former senior intelligence official Larry Pfeiffer has expressed concern over the public revelation of a CIA officer's identity after their security clearance was revoked, stating it could put the officer at risk and jeopardize relations with a foreign government.

The Director of National Intelligence position was created after the Sept. 11 attacks to ensure close coordination among the country's spy agencies. In recent months, dozens of career employees at the country's spy agencies have been abruptly fired or forced out for purported disloyalty, without being told of the evidence for the decision or having a chance to defend themselves.

The administration's actions have been met with criticism from some quarters, with concerns that the politicization of intelligence could undermine the credibility and effectiveness of the intelligence community. The ODNI spokesperson, Olivia Coleman, has defended Gabbard's decision, stating that it was designed to prevent individuals from weaponizing, politicizing, manipulating, or leaking classified intelligence.

The incident is the latest in a series of tensions between Gabbard and the intelligence community, with Gabbard declassifying a 2020 report over the objections of some CIA officials and moving the preparation of the president's daily intelligence briefing from CIA headquarters to the national intelligence director's office. Right-wing activist and Trump ally Laura Loomer had flagged a 2019 letter signed by 37 former officials, supporting Democratic lawmakers' efforts to launch an impeachment inquiry into Trump.

The incident has sparked a debate about the role of intelligence in politics and the potential for political interference in the intelligence community. As the situation continues to unfold, it remains to be seen how the tensions between Gabbard and the intelligence community will play out in the coming months.

Conflict intensifies between Representative Tulsi Gabbard and the CIA chief, allegedly following her public exposure of an undercover agent's identity, according to inside sources.